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The Falcons traded a fifth-round pick Ty Sambrailo before the 2017 season. At the end of the season that trade appeared to be a waste. Sambrailo appeared to be more of the player that coughed up countless sacks to Vic Beasley back in 2016. We typically had him on the potential cut list.
Things sure change as the former second-round pick signed a three-year deal with the team. The numbers are... surprising.
The deal for #Falcons OT Ty Sambrailo the team announced yesterday is three years, $18m max value, source says. Sambrailo took over for Ryan Schraeder at right tackle late last year and this deal shows Atlanta is confident in him as a starter going forward.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 20, 2019
The term “max value” is doing a lot of lifting here, almost assuredly from Sambrailo’s agent. A leak from the Falcons would include a lower number “plus incentives.” The incentives are not clear as of this point, but he almost certainly as playing incentives dedicated to a number of snaps or even roster bonuses throughout his contract. The max deal should mean Sambrailo is paid as a starter if he indeed is the team’s starter through the three years.
On Thursday, we learned that Sambrailo’s contract is only about a third guaranteed money, and that his base salary in 2019 is low and kicks up north of $4 million in 2020 and 2021. That makes it a solid deal for a swing tackle and a very affordable one for a starting right tackle, should Sambrailo get there.
An escalator in each of 2020 and 2021 years (which could drive up total money earned by the end). $6 million of $14.25 million cash value contract in guaranteed money. https://t.co/vy0Z8MY26F
— Jason Butt (@JasonHButt) February 21, 2019
We have given Sambrailo some flak around here but he graded out as PFF’s 31st best tackle last season based on a minimum of 20 percent of the offensive snaps. Ryan Schraeder came in tied with Bobby Hart and D.J. Humphries at 67th. We aren’t sure if Schraeder was injured but generally his play has worsened the last few seasons while Sambrailo has improved.
Based on these admittedly too early numbers, we have Sambrailo penciled into the starter spot. Schraeder may or may not get a chance to prove he’s worth his 2019 salary as the team can clear up nearly $4 million by moving on, or up to $6.45 million as a post-June 1st cut per Over the Cap. Short of taking a pay cut, the Falcons will probably have Sambrailo compete with Matt Gono and a late round draft pick.
What does this mean for the draft? The Falcons must not have liked any early round tackles. If they were ready to give a rookie a shot, they would not have made this deal. You may now disregard all mock drafts with a tackle in round 1.